Plank (exercise)

Recruit performing a plank at a US Coast Guard training

The plank (also called a front hold, hover, or abdominal bridge) is an isometric core strength exercise that involves maintaining a position similar to a push-up for the maximum possible time.

Form

The most common plank is the forearm plank which is held in a push-up-like position, with the body's weight borne on forearms, elbows, and toes. Many variations exist such as the side plank and the reverse plank.[1][2] The plank is commonly practiced in pilates and yoga, and by those training for boxing and other sports.[3][4][5]

The "Extended Plank" adds substantial difficulty to the standard plank exercise. To perform the extended plank, a person begins in the push-up position and reaches their arms/hands as far forward as possible.[6]

Effect

The plank strengthens the abdominals, back, and shoulders. Muscles involved in the front plank include:

Muscles involved in the side plank include:

World record

The world record for a front plank, resting on elbows, was set by Chinese policeman Mao Weidong, who formerly held the record and regained it by planking for 8 hours, 1 minute and 1 second in May 2016.

But George Hood in the plank position at the Indian Boundary YMCA in Downers Grove set two world records during event at the facility on June 28, 2018. (George Hood).

Hood, 60, who currently lives in Naperville, broke the world record for longest plank at 10 hours, 10 minutes and 10 seconds at the Indian Boundary YMCA in Downers Grove.[7]

[8]

The previous record was set by former Marine officer and retired Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent George Hood with a time of 5 hours, 15 minutes and 15 seconds in April 2016.[9]

The longest time in an elbow plank:

  • by a woman is 3 hours, 31 minutes and 0 seconds by Maria Kalimera (Cyprus) in September 2015.[10]
  • by a woman with a 60-lb pack is 17 min and 26 sec by Eva Bulzomi (USA) in July 2013.[11]
  • with a 100-lb pack is 4 min 41 sec by Paddy Doyle (UK) in 2016.[12]
  • with a 200-lb pack is 4 min 2 sec by Silehm Boussehaba (France) in March 2018.[13]

The longest single arm plank while balancing on medicine balls is 47.54 seconds, by William Borger (Canada) in October 2016.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Knack Weight Training for Women: Step-by-Step Exercises for Weight Loss, Leah Garcia, p. 57. Quote:"Plank variations are abundant, and small changes increase the intensity of the exercise."
  2. ↑ Weight Training for Dummies, Liz Neporent, Suzanne Schlosberg, Shirley J. Archer, p. 263.
  3. ↑ Core Strength For Dummies, LaReine Chabut. Quote:"It's used in all yoga sun salutations and other poses. It is also a Pilates-based exercise used in many of Joseph Pilates exercises..."
  4. ↑ Pocket Guide to Fitness, Louiza Patsis, p. 176. Quote:"The "plank exercise" is used in Pilates classes."
  5. ↑ Kettlebells for Dummies, Sarah Lurie, p.260. Quote:"If you've done other exercises like yoga or Pilates before, you may be familiar with the plank position already."
  6. ↑ http://strength.stack52.com/periodic-table-of-bodyweight-exercises/
  7. ↑ Spangler, Jessie. "A fitness instructor from Aurora has set 2 world records for planking". Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  8. ↑ "Policeman planks for eight hours". BBC News. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  9. ↑ Former Marine Officer Breaks World Record Plank to Benefit Semper Fi Fund, Monica Garske.
  10. ↑ "Longest time in an abdominal plank position (female)". Guinness World Records.
  11. ↑ "Longest time in an abdominal plank position with a 60-lb pack (female)". Guinness World Records.
  12. ↑ "Watch 'World's Fittest Man' Paddy Doyle reclaim record for longest plank while carrying a 100-lb pack". Guinness World Records.
  13. ↑ "Longest time in an abdominal plank position with a 200-lb pack". Guinness World Records.
  14. ↑ "Longest single arm plank while balancing on medicine balls". Guinness World Records.
  • Media related to Planks at Wikimedia Commons
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